Nonrefillable bottle and like containers



Aug. 2, 1938. c. w. JoHNsoN NONREFILLABLE BOTTLE AND LIKE CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 11, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'arlef/OLJO 4x01) l M@ Aug 2 1938. c. w. JOHNSON 2,125,790

NONREFILLABLE BOTTLE AND LIKE CONTAINERS Filed Sept. l1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 iNvENToR ATTORN 5 ci. i

Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNiTEo STATES riait NONREFILLABLE norms4 AND LIKE CONTAINERS Charles W. Johnson, Uniontown, Pa..

Application September ll, 1935, Serial No. 40,137

8 Claims.y

This invention relates to improvements in nonreiillable bottles and like containers. 7

Among the objects of the invention may b noted the provision of an improved non-rellable bottle or lil/:e container; the provision of an iniproved stopper for a bottle or like container; the provision of a stopper assembly for association with a bottle mouth, of such character as to permit free owing of the original contents from the bottle while preventing refilling of the bottle after the original contents has been removed; the provision of a bottle stopper of the nonrellable type and improved means of associating the stopper with a bottle neck; the provision of a bottle stopper and seal for sealing the stopper to the bottle, which are so cooperated that the condition of the seal will be indicative of the originality of the contents of the container; the provision oi an improved bottle, bottle stopper, and seal assembly in which the stopper renders refilling of the bottle impossible, with the seal being capable of preventing re-use of the bottle, thus to insure the originality of the contents of the bottle; the .provision of a stopper and stopper seal for bottles, jars, and like con-v tainers which may be applied to such containers Without substantial modification thereof and which thus-permits the use of bottles and like containers of conventional shape and design; and

` the provision of structure as above set forth which is well adapted to fulll the ends for which it is intended.

Other objects'will bein part obvious from `the annexed drawings and in part indicated from the following Aanalysis of the invention, in .which reference is made to theaccompanying drawings illustrative of one or more embodiments ofmy idea, in which l Fig. l is a transverse section taken through bottle, stopper, and stopperiseal in accordance with one form of the present invention;

,Fig 2 is a section taken along `lines 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken generally along lines 3-3 of Fig. l, to illustrate the under face of the guard disc to be hereinafter described;

Fig. i is a section along lines ie-4 of Fig. l', with the oat weighting element being shown in full lines; i

Fig. 5 is an exploded viewoi the stopper assembly illustrated in Figs. 1 4; i

Fig. `t is a detail of the float-carried valve;

s. VFig 7 is a transverse section through a modified form of stopper; and

(Cl. 21S-22) Fig.r8is a plan view of the oat embodied in the Fig. 7 modification.

- While the stopper and sealingf means of the present invention `is applicable to containers generally,` the invention will be described in relationto` bottles Vsuchas are used to merchandise spirituous liquors, Wines, medicines, and the like, and generally goods of the class where it is desirab-le `to insure that the purchaser receive the original contents intended Vto be purchased. Howevenithe stopper and seal arrangement to be describedin relation to a stoppering device for bottles is equally effective when applied as.A a jar closure and as a container closure generally, and allsuch adaptations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to the dra-wings, and particularly to Fig. l, reference character le designates the neck portion of aibottle adapted to deliver its contents `irough a mouth i3. The exterior wall of the bottleneck Iii has formed integrally therewith an annular guard flange i4 which extends outwardlyv from the neck and then upwardly in spaced relation to the said neck adjacent the bottle mouth, the'flange terminating short of the mouth edge. Theflange thus forms with the eX- tericr neck surface of the bottle an annular sealing cup pocket i5 which opens upwardly. Disposed in the outer neck surface of the bottle is a circular groove'orr` indentation iS which is arranged within the sealing pocket l5 and well below the top edge of the guard flange I4, one face of the indentation i6 providing an undercut shoulder il for the purpose to behereinafter described. i

Associated with the bottle mouth to act as a non-rellable stopper therefor is a stopper asse'inbly whose parts are all illustrated in the expioded' View designated Fig. 5. Such stopper assembly is preferably constituted by a pressed metal cup generally designated at A and adapted to house a float generally indicated at B, a floatcarried valvegenjerally indicated at C, a valve seating ring D, a float guide` ring generally indicated at E, a iloat weighting element consisting of a ball F, aball track G, a guard disc H, and a pouring top 'J. v Y

As will be apparent from Fig. l, wherein the aforesaid parts are shown in assembled relation, float B land Vvalve C carried thereby is arranged for limited vertical movement in the pressed cup A, the iloat being guided therein in part by the float guide ring E. Ball F constituting a weight is adapted to be cooperatively related between the float B and the ball track G and by its weight normally functions to urge the float and valve carried thereby to its lowermost position. The guard disc H is arranged above the ball track G and functions to prevent access to the ball F or float B for the purpose of forcing, urging, or otherwise moving such parts to a position in which the bottle may be relled.

Consideringrnow the pressed cup A in greater detail, such comprises a lower cylindrical portion 25 of relatively lesser diameter than-the top cylindrical portion 26, such portions being connected by the radially extending flange or shoulder 21. The exterior diameter of the cup portion 25 is such that the cup can be readily inserted in the bottle mouth I3, and the Ydiameter of the upper cylindrical portion 26 is substantially that of the exterior diameter of the bottle neck adjacent its mouth portion I 3. A gasket'28 is adapted to be laid on the top edge of the bottle mouth and cooperates between said edge and the annular flange 21 of the cup A when the latter is associated with the bottle as in Fig. 1, to prevent leakage of the liquid contained in the bottle past the joining surfaces. The bottom cylindrical portion 25 of the cup may have an integrally formed and upwardly concave bottom wall 30 provided with a central opening 3l and with a circular series of openings 32.

Adjacent the bottom wall 30 of the cup and preferably resting thereon, I arrange the valve seating ring D which may be made of porcelain, such ring having a central opening, and the lower surface 35 of which is preferably upwardly inclined, the upper surface 36 being inclined downwardly. In order to insure proper seating of the valve to be described, Iprovide a seating bead or rim 31 about the central opening of the ring D. Preferably, the valve seating ring is secured within the cup portion 25 as by the provision of an annular groove 38, into which the metal of the cup A may be deformed as by spinning, as designated at 39.V It'willrbe understood that the aforesaid arrangement is susceptible to some modification as, for example, by striking up the bottom wall 30 of the cup to form a circular seat in such manner that the ring D need not be embodied.

The float B may be constituted by a mass or cork or like buoyant material, the outer diameter of the lower portion of the float being less than the inner diameter of the bottom portion 25 of cup A so that the iloat may move freely as required into the cup portion 25. The upper survface of the float-is preferably sheathed with a metal cap 46 which is slightly convex upwardly to permit the ball F to roll freely thereon, the cap 4U having an edge flange-4|. Preferably the cap 40 is secured to the cork, as by a stem 42 having a head 43 which seats in a counter-sunk depression in the cap 40. The stem 42 extends downwardly through the cork body and carries below the lower edge of the oat the valve assembly C illustrated in detail in Fig. 6 which Vwill now be considered.

The valve element proper may be comprised by an apertured disc 43Vof rubber or equivalent material, which disc is arranged between upper washer 44 and lower washer 45, both washers being suitably apertured, with the upper washer having a circular depression 44a of lesser transverse diameter than the circular. depression 45a of the washer 45. The disc 43 thus acts as a bridge which prevents seating of depression 44a in depression 45a, with the result that the free outer edge of valve disc 43 is capable of ready flexure,

and at the same time the edge is maintained against distortion. Disposed within the depression 44a and arranged between the Washer 44 and the bottom of the float is a rubber washer 46 which assumes a frustro-conical shape when disposed about stem 42 in the manner illustrated. It will be understood that the said stem 42 passes through the valve disc 43 and Washers 44, 45, 46, the disc 43 and the rubber washer 46 having a tight fit and the cupped washers 44, 45 having a loose t on the stem, such parts being held thereon by an end bushing 41 having a slip fit on the stem. The diameter of valve disc 43 is such that the peripheral portion of the disc seats on the Seating bead 31 of ring D, and the arrangement of the valve assembly with respect to the float B is such that the valve assembly may tilt about the axis of stem 42 and relative to the float, by reason of the frustro-conical washer 46. Thus, seating of the valve disc 43 on said bead 31 is assured even when for one reason or another the ioat is in out-of-vertical position. The stem 42 and bushing 41 extend sufciently through the opening 3l of the cup A that the float and valve assembly are guided thereby during vertical movement of said assembly.

Within the relatively larger diameter portion 26 of cup A is arranged the iloat guide E, such comprising a ring of porcelain or like material, whose outer diameter is such that it ts snugly within the portion 26 of the pressed cup A. The float guide E is provided along its inner wall with a plurality of vertically disposed serrations or grooves 50, the high points of which define an opening slightly in excess of the diameter of the cap 40 of float B, whereby the oat is guided in its vertical movement by said guide ring, it being understood that the serrations 5U provide passages for the ow of liquid from the bottle, all as will be hereinafter set forth.

The depth of the iioat guide ring E is substantially less than the depth of the enlarged portion 26 of the cup A, and seating on the top edge of the guide ring E and within the portion 26 of the cup A is disposed the ball track designated G. By reference to Fig. 5, such may be'fabricated from metal disc stock and is provided with a horizontal rim 55 engaging on the top edge of the guide ring E, a central conical portion 56, and an intermediate inverted V-shaped ridge 51. Along its circular The pouring cap J which is substantially bell- 1 Shaped and which may be made of porcelain or equivalent material, is provided at its lower edge with a thickened and shouldered edge rim 6U Which is adapted to be contained within the larger diameter portion 26 of the cup A, the lower edge of the pouring cap J being adapted to seat on the rim 55 of the ball track F. The inner cylindrical cavity portion of the bellshaped pouring cap J is provided with vertically extending serrations or grooves 62, the intermediate ridges between the serrations or grooves being reduced to provide a shoulder 63 located below the upper ends of said grooves. 'I'he pouring cap J is provided with a pouring mouth or opening 64 disposed centrally thereof which may be closed by a stopper of cork or like material.

Mounted within the pouring cap or top J and supported on the ball track G is the guard disc H, shown in under face view in Fig. 3 and in perlindrical body of the discy extending downwardly from said edge as at 61 and terminating in a substantially horizontal shoulder 68, the exterior diameter of which may be slightly in excess of the diameter of the circle formed by the apex of ridge 51 of the ball track G. From the shoulder edge, the disc is formed to extend downwardly a short distance as at 16 to intersect the upwardly inclined surface 1|, whose inclination issubstantiallymthat of the inner inclined surface of the ridge 51 of the ball track, on which latterlsurface the disc may rest. 'Ihe under surface 12 of the disc H is conical, its inclination being substantially that of the upper surface of theconical portion 56 of the ball track, although the surface 12 of the guard disc is spaced a slightdistance from said inclined surface 56, so'that the disc is adapted to properly seat itself despite possible irregularities in its surface 12.

By reference to Figs. 3 and 5, the disc is provided `withrradial channels 15, which channels extend through the cylindrical body portion 61, the horizontal shoulder 68 and the inclined surfaces 1|, 12V of the disc, the upper wall of the channels being inclined inwardly and downwardly. A series of diametral horizontal drain grooves 16 are also provided, such grooves cutting through the material of the disc' which lies between the inclined under face 12 thereof and the inclined upper wall of the channels 15. The function of said channels 15 and the drain grooves 16 is tobreak up the liquid flowingthrough the stopper and to prevent the formation of bubbles, whereby free flow of liquid is obtained.

lIn order to position the guard disc H within the pouring ring J, I provide a ring 11 which fits snugly into the cavity of the top J and engages at its top edge against the shoulder 53 previously described. Said ring has a bottom flange 18 which extends radially inwardly and the relatively under surface of the flange is adapted for engagement by the horizontalshoulder 68 of the guard disc H. The depth of the ring 11 is so proportioned that a loose positioning of the guard disc H is provided for between the flange 18 of the ring and with the ridge surface of `the ball track G.

By reference to Fig. 3 it will be seen that the `exterior surface of the Yring 11 is well spaced from the bottom of the vertical grooves 62 in the pouring top J, so that the liquid may iiow lpast ring 11 without interference therefrom. It

`is advisable that the lower inside edge portion of the pouring top J be inclined upwardly as at 19 whereby the liquid may be directed to the' grooves 62 for passage therethrough.

According to the present invention I propose to assemble the aforesaid parts in such manner as to provide a stopper assembly which may be readily applied as a unit to a bottle of the character described. In assembling the stopper parts, the valve seating ring D is first secured within the lower portion. of cup A, and the guide ring E is suitably positioned and secured in the upper portion 26 of the said cup. The float and valve assembly B, C, is thereupon disposed within the cup in such manner that the stem 42 and sleeve 41project through opening 3l of the cup A. The parts G, H, and J are next cooperated and upon placement of the ball F on top of the float B, such latter parts are inserted into the upper portion of the cup A in the manner indicated in Fig. 1. Thereupon the top edge portion of` cup A is turned inwardly as at Bti to clinch over the top edge of rim 66 whereby all of the parts are securely held to or within the cup'A, and the stopper assembly may be handledas a unit.

The so assembled stopper unit may thereupon be inserted into the bottle mouth I3 after the bottle has been filled, and the next operation according to the present invention is the combined sealing and securing of the stopperY to the bottle. As will be apparent from Fig. 1, sealing cap 3l is disposed over the pouring top J, such cap being preferably of metal foil and having a tted skirt portion which extends downwardly to at least the clinched edge 8E! of the pressed cup A. In order to permanently secure the lower edge of the foil cap 8l to the stopper in such manner that the substitution of a new cap is rendered impossible, a tubularelement, hereinafter called the crimp ring, and designated 82, is slipped over the stopper and foil cup thereon, the internal diameter of the crimp ring being such that it may just clear the stopper. The upper circular edge of the crimp ring 82 is inwardly rolled or beaded as at 83 and within the roll or bead B3 may be disposed a steel ring 84 whereby the bead 63 is substantially rigid and inflexible. The diameter `of the inturned or beaded upper edge of the crimp ring is such that the bead 83Y is adapted to grip the lower skirt portion of the foil cup and clamp such portion n permanently against the flange 36 of the cup A. The depth of the crimp ring 82 is such that it extends downwardly into the sealing pocket l5 of the bottle and the ring has formed on its lower edge portion a series of normally outwardly directed crimps 85 which are disposed adjacent the circular groove i6 formed in the exterior surface of the bottle neck as previously described. Thereupon, la locking ring 96 of inner diameter to clear the sleeve 62 and of outer diameter to t into the pocket l5 with slight clearance is slipped over the crimp ring and, as the ring is forced into the sealing cup l5, its lower edge engages the crimps 85 and forces them radially inwardly to clinch against the undercut shoulder l1 of the groove I6 whereby the crimp ring secures and retains the stopper on the bottle. Locking ring 9) is provided with an inwardly extending bead or shoulder Sl which rides over the crimps V35, with the inherent resiliency of the metal of the crimps thereupon causing portions of the crimps to swing outwardly above the locking bead Si, thus to lock the ring 96 within the sealing pocket i5. Thus, after the ring 96 has been once inserted into the pocket, it is to all intents and purposes lacked therein for all time, because the ring can be removed only by breaking off or melting down the glass flange I4 which, in effect, destroys the bottle. Consequently, re-use of a bottle after the ring 96 has been finally set is impossible without detection.

Final setting of the locking ring 96 also locks the crimp ring 82 permanently to the stopper and thus locks the stopper to the bottle, as the stopor tearing the foil cap 8l, the substitution of a newfoil cap for the purpose of simulating the original foil is substantially impossible by reason of the fact that it is impossible to insert a new foil cap beneath the foil holding bead 83 of crimp ring 82.

A brief description of the operation of the non-reflllable stopper will now be given. Upon the bottle being maintained in upright condition, the weight of ball F operative against float B vcauses the float to assume its lowermost position and, in this position, valve disc 43 is seated against seating ring 31. When it is desired to pour some ofthe liquid Vfrom the bottle, it being assumed that the seal has been properly broken, the bottle is inverted and the ball F rides upwardly along the conical under surface of the ball track G'. Consequently the float B may rise due to its buoyancy and during such movement the float stem 42 is journaled in openinga3| of the bottom wall 30 of cup A, with the upper vportion-of the float being guided in the float guide ring E. Liquid may now pass into cupA through openings 32 and flows between the body of the float and the inner wall of the lower cup portion 25, through the length of the serrations 50 of the float guide ring E, through openings 58 of the Vball track G, through serrations 62 of the pouring top, and, nally, through the mouth 64 thereof. As soon as the bottle is returned to its upright position, ball E by its weight forces `float B downwardly to seat valve disc 43, and the bottle is automatically closed.

The guard disc H will of course prevent access to the ball F, float B or valveC carried by the latter, for the purpose ofV manipulating any of such parts in an attempt to rell the bottle. To put further obstacles in the way of any such attempt, I propose to position the pouring top J with respect to the ball track G in such manner that the grooves 62 of the top are staggered in relation to the openings 58 of the ball track, as indicated in Fig. 2' wherein the grooves 62 are indicated in dotted lines. It will further be understood that any pressureon float B, as during an 'attempt to force substitute contents into the bottle, results in immediate seating of valve C on its seat 31.

- I have found by actual test of the stopper as-v sembly above described that the liquid pours relatively freely from a bottle to which the stopper is applied, and I ascribe this desirable condition tothefact that an adequate number of liquid and air passages, properly distributed, are provided whereby air may enter the bottle readily 'as the liquid empties from the same. Accordingly, there is small chance that a vacuum is formed Awithin the bottle as would prevent its contents from flowing therefrom.

Considering now the modified construction illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, such represents an arrangement quite similar to the Figs. 1-6 form of the invention but requiring a lesser number of parts, withthe modified construction being characterized by a reduced height of the stopper assembly. Thus by eliminating the guide ring E of the Figs. 1-6 form of stopper, the cup A (Fig. 7) YcanV be set lower in the bottle neck and the overall height of the crimp ring 82 may thereupon be reduced with consequent economy in manufacture.

Proceeding with the description of the modified construction, the Ycup A has a lower portion 25a, which may beslightly tapered, and an upper cylindrical portion 26a. Both portions 25a, 25a are disposed within thebottle neck which may be formed with a cylindrical portion of increased diameter adjacent the bottle mouth although such is not essential. The cylindrical portion 26a terminates in a horizontal flange 21a for seating against the bottle mouth edge and has an upwardly extending cylindrical part 2lb similar to the portion 2S of the Figs. 1-6 construction although of lesser depth. A oat B' is arranged for limited vertical movement within the cup A, the float B being guided therein by stem and bushing 42a, 41a, respectively, and by the portion 26a of the cup, which portion serves the function of the guide ring E previously described in connection with the Figs. 1-6 construction.

In order to permit of ready flow of liquid past the float B', the oat cap 40a, which is concave upwardly rather than'convex, 'whereby the valve may open at a lesser angle, is provided with rolled or otherwise formed edge serrations or grooves 4Gb which form passages for the flow of liquid past the greatest diameter of the float. Alternatively, the serrations or grooves 48h could be eliminated and serrations or grooves provided instead in the wall of portion 26a of the cup A through which the liquid may flow past the valve in manner similar to the flow of liquid through the grooves 58 of the guide ring E of the Figs. 1-6 construction. Otherwise the construction of the Fig. '7 modication is similar to that illustrated in Figs. 1-6 and embodies the valve C, ball F, ball track G, guard disc H, and pouring top J. The modified form of stopper is further secured to and sealed to the bottle in like manner, it being understood, however, that crimp ring 82a is of lesser depth than crimp ring 82, by reason of the fact that the modified stopper assembly sets lower in the bottle neck than in the Figs. 1-6 form of the invention.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of this invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting certain features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention, and therefore such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a non-rellable bottle, in combination with a bottle having a neck flange forming with the exterior bottle neck surface an annular sealtle neck having an undercut shoulder disposed within said pocket, of a non-rellable stopper for said bottle provided with a shoulder, a foil cap for the stopper extending over said stopper shoulder, a crimp ring having a portion bearing on said stopper shoulder and being thereby operative to secure the foil cap to the stopper and having another portion extending into said pocket, and

1 means, insertable into said pocket for permanent location therein, for crimping said extending portion of the crimp ring beneath the undercut shoulder of the bottle neck whereby to secure the stopper to the bottle.

2. In a non-refillable bottle, in combination with a bottle having a neck flange forming with the exterior bottle neck surface an annular sealing pocket about the bottle mouth, and the bottle neck having an undercut shoulder disposed within said pocket, of a non-rellable stopper for said bottle provided with a shoulder, a foil cap for the stopper extending over said stopper shoulder, a crimp ring having a portion bearing on said stopper shoulder and being thereby operative to secure the foil cap to the stopper and having another portion extending into said pocket,' and a locking ring, insertable intosaid pocket for permanent location therein, for crimping said extending portion of the crimp ring beneath the undercut shoulder of the bottle neck,

said crimped portion being thereupon operative to secure permanently the locking ring within the pocket.

3. A non-reiillable stopper comprising, in combination, a cup element having'an inlet passage thereto, a float disposed in said cup, a valve carried by said float and disposed in controlling relation to said inlet passage, a ball, a track in said cup on which the ball is adapted to roll, the ball track having a circular series of apertures therein, a guard disc disposed above said ball track, and a bell-shaped pouring top extending into said cup and having formed in its inner Wall portion a plurality of grooves and being provided with a central discharge passage with Which said grooves communicate.

, 4. A non-refillable stopper comprising, in combination, a cup element having an inlet passage thereto, a float disposed in said cup, a valve carried by said float and disposed in controlling relation to said inlet passage, a ball, a track in said cup on which the ball is adapted to roll, the ball track having a circular series of apertures therein, a guard disc disposed above said ball track, the guard disc having radially disposed liquid passages therein, and a bell-shaped pouring top extending into said cup and having formed in its inner wall portion a plurality of grooves and being provided With a central discharge passage with which said Igrooves communicate.

5. A non-refillable stopper comprising, in combination, a cup element having an inlet passage thereto, a float disposed in said cup, a valve carried by said iioat and disposed in controlling relation to said inlet passage, a ball, a trackl in said cup on which the ball is adapted to roll, the ball track having a circular series of openings therein, a guard disc disposed above said ball track, a bell-shaped pouring top extending into said cup and having formed in its inner Wall portion a plurality of grooves and being provided with a central discharge passage with which said grooves communicate, and the openings of the ball track being staggered with relation to the grooves of said pouring top.

6. A non-rellable stopper comprising, in combination, a cup element having an inlet passage thereto, a iioat disposed in said cup, a valve carried by said i'ioat and disposed in controlling relation to said inlet passage, a ball, a track in said cup on which the ball is adapted to roll, the ball track having a circular series of apertures therein, a guard disc disposed above said ball track, the guard disc having radially disposed liquid passages therein, a bell-shaped pouring top extending into said cup and having formed in its inner Wall portion a plurality of grooves and being provided with a central discharge'passage `with which said grooves communicate, and the therein, a guard disc disposed above said ball track, a bell-shaped pouring top extending into said cup and having formed in its inner Wall portion a plurality of grooves and being provided with a central discharge passage with which said grooves communicate, and means for positioning the guard disc between the pouring top and the ball track.

8. A non-reiillable stopper comprising, in combination, a cup element having an inlet passage thereto, a float disposed in said cup, a valve carried by said float and disposed in controlling relation to said inlet passage, means for so mounting the valve with respect to the float that the valve may tilt on Vthe axis of the float, a ball, a track in said cup on which the ball is adapted to roll, the ball track having a circular series of openings therein, a guard disc disposed above said ball track and having radial liquid passages extending therethrough, a bell-shaped pouring top extending into said cup and provided in its inner Wall surface with a plurality of vertically extend- 4ing grooves, and having a central discharge pas- CHARLES W. JOHNSON. 

